Misioneros Columbanos

The Columbans are a missionary society, approved by the Holy See in 1918, of priests who work in 15 countries: Australia/New Zealand, Brazil, Britain, Chile, China, Fiji, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan and the United States.

Crossing boundaries of country, language and culture, the Society has as its specific objectives:

• To establish the Church among peoples to whom the gospel has not been preached;
• To help local Churches mature until they are able to evangelize their own and other peoples;
• To promote dialogue between Christians and those of other religious traditions;
• To facilitate interchange between local Churches, especially those from which the Columbans come and those to which they are sent;
• To foster in all Churches an awareness of their mission.

The Columbans specifically approach their work from a standpoint of solidarity with the poor and the integrity of creation. This is an option taken because the poor are unjustly marginalized. Ultimately, it is to strive to be poor in the Spirit, to be, like Jesus, thirsting for God's justice. As missionaries, Columbans are called to be deeply involved in the lives of others and in the service of the Kingdom. They resonate with the words of Jesus: "He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free and to proclaim the Lord's year of favor." (Lk 4:18)

Within this framework, the Columbans often find themselves in situations where the people can be suffering great injustices. They believe that the Church in our time must challenge the scandals of structural poverty (poverty caused by the way governments and institutions function) and spiraling violence and that such challenges are basic to what the gospel demands of Christians. The Columbans see this concern for justice, peace and creation as central to their special work.

In the United States, Columban missionaries:

• Form and strengthen missionary concerns through educational programs.
• Invite, train, and send missionaries to live and proclaim the Gospel.
• Seek spiritual and financial support for the missions.

Mission at Home

Our world is a world in motion. Never has there been such a movement of people as millions migrate from country to country in search of a life where they can work, live in peace and raise their families with dignity. The United States has been accustomed to this movement from its beginnings. People of all religions and backgrounds fled persecution and poverty and started a new life here.

Over the last two hundred years American parishes have received waves of immigrants. The process continues, but Germans, Italians, Polish, and Irish or the 19th and 20th centuries are being replaced by Hispanic, Asian, or Nigerian faces. In addition Western Europe now must cope with millions of migrants from other continents.

Columban Mission is responding to today's needs, with migrant apostolates in such diverse places as Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Taiwan and the U.S./Mexican border.

In addition to recent changes in the location of mission, the agents of mission have also changed. Columban priests now come from such diverse countries as Fiji, Ireland, Tonga, Peru, Chile, Korea, the USA and the Philippines.

The United States regional headquarters is located at St. Columbans, Nebraska, 68056 USA, Tel. (402) 291-1920.